FIRST PLACE BEST PLACE: Somerset has at least shared first place every day this season and finished the first half alone in first for 65-straight days. They have begun the second half tied for first place with the Ducks and the Bees.

1ST HALF LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONS: The Patriots have clinched their 7th half division title under manager Brett Jodie. It marks the team’s Atlantic League-record 19th half championship in franchise history. Somerset is now guaranteed a spot in the postseason set to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 19th.

HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR: The Patriots had five players selected to represent the Liberty Division at the 2018 Atlantic League All-Star Game. Returning All-Stars LHP Duane Below and RHP Cory Riordan are joined by first-year All-Stars OF Julio Borbon, SS Alfredo Rodriguez and IF/OF Mike Fransoso.

HOT ROD: Alfredo Rodriguez has reached base safely in 17-straight games, with hits in 14 of 17. It’s the longest on-base streak on the team this year. He is 20-for-59 (.339) with eight runs and five RBI over this stretch.

SASSY MASSEY: IF Craig Massey has a hit in 11 of 13 and has reached base safely in 15 of last 17. He is 24-for-67 (.358) over this stretch. Massey is three PA shy of qualifying amongst league leaders (has 170 PA, needs 173), but his .441 OBP and .345 BA would otherwise lead the league and rank second, respectively.

NUMBAH ONE: Mike Fransoso has reached base safely in 11-straight games and 18 of his last 19 games. He is batting .368 (14-38) with four runs, four extra base hits, five walks and nine RBI his last 11 games. His .416 on-base percentage ranks third in the league, while his .314 average is tied for sixth.

STARTING TO SMASH: Kyle Roller has reached base safely in eight-straight games with three home runs, six runs scored and eight RBI over this stretch. He has six home runs and 13 RBI over his last 18 games.

INSANE DUANE: LHP Duane Below has allowed seven earned runs over his last 31.2 IP (1.99 ERA) and ranks third in the league in BAA (.213) and WHIP (1.03) and fourth in ERA (2.98). He has won four-straight decisions.

QUITE THE INTRO: Ramon Flores went 2-for-3 with a walk in his Somerset Patriots debut on 7/6. He reached base in each of his first three at-bats.

NEW SIGNING: Somerset announced the signing of 1B/3B Matt Oberste on 7/7. Oberste spent the first six years of his career in the New York Mets organization.

SPEEDY PACCHIOLI: Justin Pacchioli has five steals in six July games, and is 13-for-13 in attempts this season. He finished fourth in the league last year (35).

RIORDAN ROARIN’: RHP Cory Riordan leads the league in BB/9 (1.21), is tied for the lead in innings pitched (74.1), ranks fifth in K (57) and sixth in ERA (3.27). He has three 8+ strikeout games over his last five games. Riordan has struck out 31 batters against just three walks in 31 innings of work over this stretch.